Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== bīngmǎyǒng: 兵马俑 - Terracotta Army, Terracotta Warriors ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 兵马俑, bingmayong, Terracotta Army, Terracotta Warriors, Qin Shi Huang, Xi'an, Chinese history, ancient China, terracotta soldiers, mausoleum army, UNESCO World Heritage. * **Summary:** The 兵马俑 (bīngmǎyǒng), famously known as the Terracotta Army or Terracotta Warriors, is a breathtaking collection of life-sized soldier and horse figures discovered in Xi'an, China. Buried with Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, this massive clay army was intended to protect him in the afterlife. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a powerful symbol of ancient Chinese artistry, power, and belief. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** bīng mǎ yǒng * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** N/A (Proper Noun) * **Concise Definition:** The collection of thousands of life-sized terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a life-sized army made entirely of clay (terracotta), complete with soldiers, archers, officers, and horses, buried underground for over 2,000 years. That's the 兵马俑. It wasn't just art; it was a functional spiritual army created to serve and protect China's first emperor in his eternal life. It's a stunning testament to the ambition and power of the Qin Dynasty. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **兵 (bīng):** This character means "soldier," "weapon," or anything related to the military. Think of it as the core concept of an army. * **马 (mǎ):** This character means "horse." It's one of the most recognizable characters, originally a pictogram of a horse with its mane and legs. In the context of an ancient army, horses were essential for cavalry and chariots. * **俑 (yǒng):** This is the most specific character. It means "funerary figurine" or "burial doll." These were objects specifically created to be buried with the dead to serve them in the afterlife, often replacing the earlier practice of human sacrifice. When combined, 兵马俑 (bīngmǎyǒng) literally translates to "Soldier-Horse-Figurines," a perfectly descriptive name for this incredible archaeological find. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The 兵马俑 is more than just a collection of old statues; it's a window into the mind of China's first emperor and the worldview of the Qin dynasty. * **Belief in the Afterlife:** The sheer scale of the army reveals a deeply held belief that the afterlife was a continuation of earthly life. The emperor needed his administration, his comforts, and most importantly, his army to maintain his power in the next world. The Terracotta Army wasn't symbolic; it was considered a real, functional spiritual guard. * **Imperial Power and Unification:** The construction of such a monumental project required immense resources, organization, and manpower. It serves as a stark symbol of the centralized power and authoritarian control wielded by Qin Shi Huang, who unified China but was also known for his ruthlessness. Each warrior's unique face and armor detail also showcases the incredible level of craftsmanship and bureaucratic organization of the time. * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** A good comparison is the Tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt. Both are elaborate funerary complexes for a powerful ruler, filled with objects for the afterlife. However, the contrast is revealing. While King Tut's tomb was filled with gold, jewels, and personal effects, Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum complex includes an entire //army//. This highlights a cultural emphasis on military might, bureaucracy, and organized state power as the ultimate symbol of a ruler's eternal legacy, which is a cornerstone of Chinese imperial history. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== In modern China, 兵马俑 is almost always used as a proper noun to refer to the specific archaeological site in Xi'an. * **As a Tourist Destination:** It's one of China's most famous landmarks. You will constantly hear it in conversations about travel. `"我们去西安看兵马俑吧！"` (Wǒmen qù Xī'ān kàn bīngmǎyǒng ba!) - "Let's go to Xi'an to see the Terracotta Army!" * **As a Symbol of History:** It's a huge point of national pride and a key piece of Chinese history taught in all schools. * **Metaphorical Usage (Less Common):** Occasionally, it can be used metaphorically to describe a large group of people standing silently, uniformly, and motionless. This usage is often slightly humorous or critical. `"保安们像兵马俑一样站在门口。"` (Bǎo'ānmen xiàng bīngmǎyǒng yīyàng zhàn zài ménkǒu.) - "The security guards stood at the door like terracotta warriors." ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我一直想去亲眼看看**兵马俑**。 * Pinyin: Wǒ yīzhí xiǎng qù qīnyǎn kànkan **bīngmǎyǒng**. * English: I've always wanted to go see the **Terracotta Army** with my own eyes. * Analysis: A common way to express travel interest. `亲眼 (qīnyǎn)` means "with one's own eyes," emphasizing the desire for a firsthand experience. * **Example 2:** * **兵马俑**是世界第八大奇迹。 * Pinyin: **Bīngmǎyǒng** shì shìjiè dì bā dà qíjì. * English: The **Terracotta Army** is the Eighth Wonder of the World. * Analysis: This is a popular, though unofficial, title for the site, reflecting its global significance. * **Example 3:** * 你知道**兵马俑**是哪个朝代的吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ zhīdào **bīngmǎyǒng** shì nǎge cháodài de ma? * English: Do you know which dynasty the **Terracotta Army** is from? * Analysis: A typical question about the historical context of the site. The answer is the Qin Dynasty (`秦朝`). * **Example 4:** * 每一个**兵马俑**的面部表情都不同。 * Pinyin: Měi yīgè **bīngmǎyǒng** de miànbù biǎoqíng dōu bùtóng. * English: The facial expression of every single **terracotta warrior** is different. * Analysis: This sentence highlights one of the most amazing facts about the army. The measure word `个 (gè)` is used here for individual warriors. * **Example 5:** * **兵马俑**的发现震惊了整个考古学界。 * Pinyin: **Bīngmǎyǒng** de fāxiàn zhènjīngle zhěnggè kǎogǔxué jiè. * English: The discovery of the **Terracotta Army** shocked the entire archaeological world. * Analysis: This sentence uses `震惊 (zhènjīng)`, a strong verb for "to shock" or "to astonish." * **Example 6:** * 西安最著名的景点就是**兵马俑**。 * Pinyin: Xī'ān zuì zhùmíng de jǐngdiǎn jiùshì **bīngmǎyǒng**. * English: The most famous tourist attraction in Xi'an is the **Terracotta Army**. * Analysis: `景点 (jǐngdiǎn)` is a key vocabulary word for "tourist attraction." * **Example 7:** * 历史老师给我们讲了关于**兵马俑**的故事。 * Pinyin: Lìshǐ lǎoshī gěi wǒmen jiǎngle guānyú **bīngmǎyǒng** de gùshì. * English: The history teacher told us the story of the **Terracotta Army**. * Analysis: A simple sentence illustrating how the term is used in an educational context. * **Example 8:** * 这些新出土的**兵马俑**保存得非常完好。 * Pinyin: Zhèxiē xīn chūtǔ de **bīngmǎyǒng** bǎocún de fēicháng wánhǎo. * English: These newly unearthed **terracotta warriors** are preserved very well. * Analysis: `出土 (chūtǔ)` means "to unearth," a word often associated with archaeological discoveries. * **Example 9:** * 游客们不准触摸**兵马俑**。 * Pinyin: Yóukèmen bù zhǔn chùmō **bīngmǎyǒng**. * English: Tourists are not allowed to touch the **Terracotta Warriors**. * Analysis: A practical sentence you might hear or see on a sign at the museum. `不准 (bù zhǔn)` means "not allowed" or "forbidden." * **Example 10:** * 看到成千上万的**兵马俑**，场面非常壮观。 * Pinyin: Kàndào chéng qiān shàng wàn de **bīngmǎyǒng**, chǎngmiàn fēicháng zhuàngguān. * English: Seeing the tens of thousands of **terracotta warriors**, the scene is extremely magnificent. * Analysis: `成千上万 (chéng qiān shàng wàn)` is an idiom for "thousands upon thousands." `壮观 (zhuàngguān)` means "magnificent" or "spectacular," a word perfectly suited for the sight. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Specificity is Key:** 兵马俑 refers //only// to the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang. It is not a general term for "statue" or "sculpture." * **Incorrect:** 我在公园里看到了一个漂亮的兵马俑。 (Wǒ zài gōngyuán lǐ kàndàole yīgè piàoliang de bīngmǎyǒng.) -> "I saw a beautiful terracotta warrior in the park." * **Why it's wrong:** Unless the park has an actual replica, you likely saw a statue. The correct word for a general statue is `雕像 (diāoxiàng)`. * **Correct:** 我在公园里看到了一个漂亮的雕像。 (Wǒ zài gōngyuán lǐ kàndàole yīgè piàoliang de diāoxiàng.) * **Not a "Toy":** While made of clay, these are not "toy soldiers." The English term "figurine" can sometimes imply smallness. Emphasize their life-sized scale and serious, funerary purpose to avoid misunderstanding their significance. The Chinese character `俑 (yǒng)` itself carries the specific meaning of a "burial figurine," which distinguishes it from a sculpture for display, `雕塑 (diāosù)`. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[秦始皇]] (Qín Shǐ Huáng) - The First Emperor of Qin who commissioned the army. The reason the 兵马俑 exists. * [[西安]] (Xī'ān) - The modern-day city in Shaanxi province where the 兵马俑 is located. * [[陵墓]] (língmù) - Mausoleum; a large, stately tomb. The 兵马俑 is part of Qin Shi Huang's much larger mausoleum complex. * [[文物]] (wénwù) - Cultural relic; artifact. Each terracotta warrior is a precious `文物`. * [[朝代]] (cháodài) - Dynasty. The 兵马俑 belongs to the Qin Dynasty (`秦朝`, Qín Cháo). * [[皇帝]] (huángdì) - Emperor. The title held by Qin Shi Huang. * [[士兵]] (shìbīng) - Soldier. A modern, general term for a soldier. `兵` is the first character in 兵马俑. * [[雕塑]] (diāosù) - Sculpture; the general art form. It's important to know this to avoid misusing 兵马俑. * [[考古]] (kǎogǔ) - Archaeology. The scientific field responsible for excavating and studying the 兵马俑. * [[世界遗产]] (Shìjiè Yíchǎn) - World Heritage. The official UNESCO designation for the site.